Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Commercial - General    3. Commercial Building Construction    4. Commercial buildings    5. Decorating    6. Decoration    7. Design & Drafting    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Interior Design - General    10. Interior Design - Professional Reference    11. Residential Interior Design    12. United States    13. Architecture / Interior Design    14. Interior design    15. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Reviews (1)

Inspiring photos
We are considering a move to pacific Costa Rica (As the native ex-patriots call it "Hawaii for half the price") and this book is loaded with design ideas. In every way this book is a gem and I look and buy architectural design books quite frequently... this one blew me away. I often look at books on contemporary Mexican design as well as books with an Asian theme; Thai, Bali and Ibiza, Greece, in general homes with a coastal or tropical feel and with lots of mystery and sun. This book fulfils my requirements and without any waste. Some books will have a few great photos and alot of duds thrown in. Either photos that don't radiate much excitement or drama or are of mundane ho hum same same you have seen elsewhere and probably better. Or shots of mediocre furnishings ... This book firstly doesn't have one wasteful photo and it displays some of the great contemporary (Mexican) architects who you may want to design your next home... furthermore, it was wonderfuly edited so that you feel a great flow thoughout. You will also be impressed with some of the textiles and ideas for built in furniture. These homes have drama, mystery, and reflect a wonderful coexistence with the majesty of this beautiful coastal rocky terrain. They are homes which truly integrate into the surrounding nature with greatrespect for their environment rather then being ostentiousmonstrocities. These homes have a Wow factor as they are commanding but have subtle grace at the same time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Construction    3. Interior Design - General   

Editorial Review

Filippo Brunelleschi's design for the dome of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence remains one of the most towering achievements of Renaissance architecture. Completed in 1436, the dome remains a remarkable feat of design and engineering. Its span of more than 140 feet exceeds St Paul's in London and St Peter's in Rome, and even outdoes the Capitol in Washington, D.C., making it the largest dome ever constructed using bricks and mortar. The story of its creation and its brilliant but "hot-tempered" creator is told in Ross King's delightful Read more

Reviews (85)

A slice of Rennaisance life
The subject may be the legendary dome, and the man who built it, but thebest part of the book is its characterization of everyday life during that era.The author knows a lot about Rennaisance Europe, and his writing is enjoyable as well. He is no engineer, so it's never clear why this is such an engineering marvel. For that, see Why Buildings Stand Up, although the readibility of that book pales alongside this one.

Easy-to-read, great intro to the subject; but, never attempts to explain its own title
In this book, author Ross King provides an easy-to-read narrative not only of Brunelleschi's procedure in building the dome of the Florence cathedral, but also of the political context, particularly within the Opera del Duomo, the office of works in charge of the cathedral.It's a nice intro for a general audience, but lacks historical analysis and fails to satisfactorily address the statement made in its own subtitle.
The Dome, Yes, but also much, much, more.
Santa Maria del Fiore may just be the one perfect piece of architecture.I dare you to go to Florence, see it, and not be moved.Read this book, and then go climb il Duomo's stairs, passing the frescoes inside the dome to enter the passage between the two domes.Feel the changes in the sharpness of the stairs' angles.Climb out at the base of the Lanterna with the city's red roofs stretching beneath you at every angle.The experience would be exhilerating of itself, but with Ross King's description of the building process echoing through your head, you might find yourself full of wonder and moved to tears like I was.
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Subjects:  1. 1377-1446    2. Architecture    3. Brunelleschi, Filippo,    4. Buildings    5. Design and construction    6. Domes    7. Europe - Italy    8. Florence    9. Florence (Italy)    10. History - Specific Styles    11. Individual Architect    12. Italy    13. Religious Buildings    14. Renaissance    15. Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedr    16. Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral : Florence, Italy)    17. Architecture / History    18. Brunelleschi, Filippo   

Subjects:  1. AutoCAD    2. CAD-CAM - General    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computers    5. Computers - General Information    6. Drafting & Mechanical Drawing    7. Engineering graphics    8. Computer aided design (CAD)    9. Computers / CAD-CAM / General   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Book- Very Helpful
This is an excellent book.It's very interesting and was the first book of it's kind that I have read.I gives color and light suggestions for different environments such as schools, office spaces, etc.It givesdetailed scientific information about why these colors and types of lightare good to use in these environments that is easy to understand.I thinkthis book is a must have for all interior designers who care about theeffects the environment they design will have on the people that will be init!

Good Enough I'm Looking for the Author
Help!My cousin in Brazil is trying to contact the author of this book.The letter he sent was returned to him as the address being no good.He had gotten the address out of the back of the book.Does anyone know howto contact the author? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Color in architecture    3. Environmental aspects    4. Human factors    5. Interior Design - General    6. Interior Design - Professional Reference    7. Architecture / Interior Design    8. Cognition & cognitive psychology    9. Interior design    10. Theory of architecture   

Reviews (15)

best bungalow book
Together writer Jane Powell and photographer Linda Svendsen create the best bungalow books on the market. Whether you are thinking of remodelling your bathroom, changing a few details, or just want to understand the history of your bathroom, this is the book to buy.
Four stars
The book has lots of photos for ideas and is interesting for renovators of bungalows.

ok, not enough variety of styles of bathrooms shown
I needed a good book to review lots of craftsman/bungalow bathrooms as we now own a 1911 bungalow and are restoring the bathroom. My husband is a tilesetter and I worked in architecture for years.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Bathrooms    3. Decorating - General    4. History - Specific Styles    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - General    7. Interior decoration    8. Remodeling    9. Remodeling & Renovation - Bathrooms    10. Architecture / Decoration & Ornament    11. Interior design   

Reviews (2)

Very Similar to Houses
I thoroughly loved his first residential book "Houses." With the amount of work he has done I expected this book to focus on new work but many of the same projects and pictures from the first book were used in this one.

Stern Yet Elegant
This book on Robert Stern, the latest in a series, is very well executed.Mr. Stern really has a knack for anachronistic grand homes, they are a throw back to another time, but with all the modern luxuries money can buy.Stern has a real feel for the kind of gardens that complement each type of home, and the interaction between the two is often quite breathtaking.The images in this book are first rate and the homes are amazing.If you appreciate excellent photography, elegant architecture, and spectacular homes and gardens then you will love this book ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Construction    3. Individual Architect    4. Individual Architects Of The 20th Century    5. Residential Buildings Architecture    6. Architecture / Individual Architect    7. Individual architects   

Reviews (3)

weighing tickoo and toogood
i have both beginner books tickoo's and toogood's
go for sham tickoo
This book is ok for starters. Just about ok.
Problems, Problems and more Problems
Problems, Problems and more Problems.This is the way I would describe the book. This is my view, and I am expressing it as a practicing design engineer.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Programming Languages - General   

Reviews (6)

Tuscan & Andalusian Reflections
Excellent source of Tuscan & Old World Architecture. Has helped the Design Dept. of my firm understand & grasp our clients ideas better and has allowed us to broaden our job market more with Better Renderings.

Beautiful Book
This is a great book to get ideas for building a Tuscan farm house.Also great ideas for interior decorating.

Tuscan - Californian class!
The Lagoni/Bassenian team knows how to put together unique Tuscan design with a domestic flair.I have purchased most of the other Tuscan design books currently available, and this book is one of the best.Complete color photographs make it easy to imagine. Gorgeous just to use as a coffee table book even if you are not using it for ideas! I LOVE this book!Their other book, Pure California, is also worth the money.These guys know what they are doing, and with class!BRAVO! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decoration & Ornament    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House Plans   

Reviews (1)

Splendor Indeed
Wow, what a book!These estates are just incredible, the images are vivid and first rate and the text is very interesting and easy to navigate.Jeffrey Smith really knows how to design grand homes, his houses though mammoth, really fit Palm Beach, I mean one expects grand mansions in this Vallhalla of the truly rich, but Jeffrey Smith's homes are tastful, they are huge, but they fit their environment and are respectful to the neighborhoods in which they reside.Very nice book on a most deserving subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Eclecticism in architecture    4. Florida    5. Individual Architect    6. Individual Architects Of The 20th Century    7. Palm Beach    8. Architecture / Individual Architect   

Reviews (11)

Perfect book for self-study
This book came to the rescue before my exam in the introductory course on logic design at uni and helped me achieve a good grade in the exam, even though I didn't attend class most of the time. It's well written and easy to understand, even for students who aren't native English speakers.
Solid introduction to basics
This is a sound, competent introduction to the elements of contemporary logic design. It covers all the basics: boolean logic, gate implementations, and the elements of binary arithmetic. It talks about minimization techniques, logic delays, and some of the classic logic implementation technologies (PLAs, decoders, muxes). It gives the basics of common notation, including timing diagrams, gate-level schematics, and so on. The last few chapters discuss synchronous (clocked) design and design of state machines, including standard reduction techniques. All the basics of modern design are there. A good student will start to see the number of different ways any problem can be solved, and start to recongize that no one perspective will solve all problems, at least not well.
Good material, bad editing!
As far as material and explanations, the book is great.I just have no tolerance for the countless number of grammatical errors it contains.At least one on every page.Granted, we are engineering majors, but it's a university-level textbook! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Circuits    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Engineering    4. Computers    5. Data processing    6. Design    7. Digital Computer Hardware    8. Electronic digital computers    9. Electronics - Circuits - Logic    10. Electronics - Circuits - VLSI    11. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    12. Integrated circuits    13. Logic Design    14. Technology & Industrial Arts    15. Very large scale integration    16. Very-Large-Scale Integration (Vlsi)    17. Computer aided design (CAD)    18. Computers / Computer Engineering   

Reviews (3)

Wonderful rendering tips!
This book was very helpful in showing me different rendering techniques used by varying artists.From minimalist, neutral shading to full blown, vibrant color renderings, this book covered them all.
I absolutely love this book!
This book got me through architectural school.Hand renderings were never my strong point until I got this book. My rendering skills went up considerably (along with my confidence and grades) and I still reference this book today in my professional career.The book gives great examples and the tips from the professionals are very informative. This is definately one of the best books on how to make profession looking presentations.

Questions Answered Here
The question and answer format of this book is useful and allows a different kind of organization to its contents.It also incorporates the work of a broad cross-section of designers.This allows the editors toexpose you to many of the best in different fields in which markers areused to increase the effectiveness of visual communication.Whilecertainly useful for the beginner, it will also stimulate the moreexperienced designer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural rendering    2. Architecture    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Design & Drafting    5. Dry marker drawing    6. Interior decoration rendering    7. Techniques - Drawing    8. Architecture / Design & Drafting    9. Interior design   

Reviews (8)

Good book but the author is a bit wrapped on herself

Beautiful to look at !!
WOW!What can I say?This is a beautfully decorated home that is beautifully photographed and compiled into a beautiful book.Just received my copy and quickly went through it once because I just couldn't wait to see each page.Now I plan to sit back and leisurely study each page.Can't wait to let my eldest daughter look at it.She will love it as much as I do.I know she will have to have her own copy 'cause she can't have mine !!Don't wait another day - get your own copy now.

What makes a winter house a home?
Interior designer Charlotte Moss focuses on how to change a home to a warm retreat using her own winter house as an example: WINTER HOUSE is thus both a review of her designs and a survey of what makes a winter house more accommodating. There are spaces for all purposes, from family gatherings to private rooms for reflection: a room-by-room survey is accompanied by organization and design tips, reflections on innovations and 'little luxuries' adaptable to any environment, and plenty of entertainment ideas. Color photos pack nearly every page and accompany the author's examples of what makes a 'winter home' style. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Interior Design    8. Interior decoration    9. Psychological aspects    10. Winter    11. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (1)

Ka Ching!
I pre-ordered Ching's new book months ago based just on his outstanding work in his previous books.I wasn't disapponted.The timeline organization gives a much-needed new comparative perspective on architecture around the globe and across time.Ching's illustrations and choice of photos are just enough to illustrate the excellent text.This is yet another example of Ching's talent as an architectural illustrator and teacher of arxchitecture. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. General    3. History    4. History - General    5. Architecture / General   

Reviews (4)

Easy read, great info.
Well written, easy to read and comprehend.Great for a student to begin development of a project.

Great choice for architecture students!
This book offers a great way for architecture students to get a handle on some of the issues related to building design. It deals with basic issues of construction including structural systems, mechanical systems, and code considerations. It gives "rules of thumb" and basic descriptions which are great for preliminary design. For example, if you need to roughly size a truss or floor system during schematic design, go the appropriate section for the system you are using, and you'll find handy charts for basic sizing. This is a great book for students who need rough "guestimates" for studio projects.

For professionals and students alike!
Having this book is like having a half-dozen of the best engineering consultants at your elbow-ready to answer any question that may come up during design. It reduces all the complex technical issues in building design to simple formal elements of know size that are easily merged into the architectural design process.A must-have for professionals and students alike! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Design    2. Architecture    3. Design & Drafting    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    6. Reference    7. Study & Teaching    8. Architectural structure & design    9. Architecture / Design & Drafting   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art    3. Decorating - General    4. Design - General    5. Domestic    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Interior decoration    8. Art / Design / General    9. Decorative arts & crafts    10. Fashion design   

Reviews (8)

pretty good- but dated
Need a book like this but more up to date.Very informative though.

Excellent resource for anyone in or interested in "the biz"
I own a pretty sucessful bar in Santa Barbara California and decided (about a year ago) to try my hand in the Restaurant Business. Excellent and Insightful
If you are seeking concrete information into the whys and wherefores of creating and building upon a solid restaurant concept, this is the book for you.It is overflowing with detailed descriptions, practical advice, layouts, menus, square footage, operation costs... much more than I anticipated.Although at first glance it seems to be another glossy "picture" book with a high design value (which is greatly appreciated), it is in fact a true workbook and manual.The numbers are all here, allowing the reader to compare and contrast.If you are working on a business plan, this is ideal, because it is a great aid for making realistic projections.Restaurants That Work is extremely thorough and well worth the price. I am very pleased andmy only gripe is that I didn't purchase this sooner! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Case studies    5. Commercial Buildings Architecture    6. Design and construction    7. General    8. Hotel And Restaurant Management    9. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    10. Restaurant management    11. Restaurants    12. Hospitality industry    13. Interior design   

Editorial Review

This is a deep, magical, densely captivating book about space, our homes, how we live in them, and how dwellings and space affect us; it is as much a book of philosophy as a work of serious literature. It requires careful, preferably leisurely reading, with the possibility of moments to pause and digest and re-read the words. It will change the way you look at your home and your life, providing a deeper, more insightful relationship with the spaces you occupy. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A book to savor .......
........this book is about house and its space and remembrance and meaning.House as protector, memory store, place in the world, construct.This is a philosophy book about house written by a poet, reflecting his views,and other's, onthe importance and vital organism that is shelter.If you love word that conjures thought...and love home (whatever that means for you) I believe you will savor this book.

Amazing and Inspiring
I read this book in grad school and it completely changed the way I look at Home and the build environment. It brought back many memories of the all the places I lived when I was a kid and then as an adult and made me re-examine, not just the building but the town where I live.Beautifully written, it brings images to your mind.It also inspired my thesis project and the photographs I have been working on for the last few years. I've read it and re-read it, its just made me think about my home so much.

The classic work of architectural phenomenology
Phenomenology is the school of philosophy that claims to begin its analysis of existence with a careful study of human experience. Its founder, Edmund Husserl, and its most famous exponent, Martin Heidegger, laid its groundwork with studies of the epistemological foundations of science and the nature of Being. Bachelard apples their methods to architecture, basing his analysis not on purported origins (as was the trend in Enlightenment thinking about architecture) but on lived experience of architecture. He is thus led to consider such emotionally charged spatial types as the attic, the cellar, drawers and the like. In its emphasis on actual experience, it is refreshingly real, in contrast to much recent architectural theory that treats architecture as "text". The proof of the phenomenological pudding is always in the reader's response to the experiences being described. Bachelard is an exceptionally acute writer of such descriptions. This book implicitly urges architects to base their work on the experiences it will engender rather than on abstract rationales that may or may not affect viewers and users of architecture. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Imagination    3. Metaphysics    4. Philosophy    5. Poetry    6. Space and time    7. Speculative Philosophy    8. Philosophy / General    9. Topics in philosophy    10. Western philosophy, from c 1900 -   

Reviews (2)

Very Poorly Written
This book is very poorly written. It also does not adequately discuss estimating materials.

Broad Outlook on Interior Products
This book is a good reference for anyone who is currently designing or building a luxury home, but for a general education on construction interiors, this is not the book.There are many references to the latestproducts, which include both color and feature description that will bequickly outdated.Most of the discussion centers around materials thatwould be used in an affluent home rather than your typical familyresidence, and product descriptions focus on the unique product, not thetypical.Dimensions for comfortable clearance and layout hints are usefulfor residential layout, but the commercial references are very limited. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building materials    2. Construction - General    3. Decorating - General    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Equipment and supplies    6. General    7. House & Home    8. Household appliances    9. Interior decoration    10. Plumbing    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Art / Design / General    13. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (5)

Wow! Nice book and for a nice price!
For anyone who loves to do the Sunday-afternoon-drive-around-and-look-at-old-houses thing, this is the book for you. The quality of the photos is really impressive and while I suppose it'd best be described as a coffee-table book, it also contains a fair quantity of information about the houses and their style and influence and history of design.
You have to be out of your mind to like this book
This book is the evident that the housing projects in the United States are mere products of the market force that lack inspiration, imagination, and progressive attitude.People who praise this book for its beautiful photographs only expose the biggest flaw in this book: there is no content.All the homes in this book are built on false premises of consumerist culture.There is no attempt to make the houses affordable or challenging the notion of domestic living.People may have bought the book because they like the drape or the furniture in it, but you will be better off buying yourself a copy of Martha Stewart's "Living" for that purpose.Don't waste your money on propelling the cycle of our wasteful culture, give that money to the charity and you will sleep better at night.

Multo-Bene! Aram
This book documents what I have understood for many years. BLA is one the premier american residential architectural firms. Beautiful work! Fabulous projects! A joy to peruse. The book has interior and exterior photos of several "Pure" California design approaches from Spanish, to Coastal, to Tuscan style. If you are building a home, or enjoy good architecture, you will not be disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Domestic    3. General    4. U.S. Architecture - General